1998 FORD WINDSTAR maintenance schedule

Introduction
3
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[II02100(ALL)01/96]
To use theIndex, turn to the back of the book and search in the
alphabetical listing for the word that best describes the
information you need. If the word you chose is not listed, think
of other related words and look them up. We have designed the
Index so that you can find information under a technical term.
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[II02200(ALL)01/96]
Canadian Owners Ð French Version
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[II02300(ALL)01/96]
French Owner Guides can be obtained from your dealer or by
writing to Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, Service
Publications, P.O. Box 1580, Station B, Mississauga, Ontario L4Y
4G3.
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[II02400(ALL)05/96]
Your Maintenance Schedule Booklet
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[II02500(ALL)03/96]
TheMaintenance Schedulebooklet lists the services that are most
important for keeping your vehicle in good condition. A record
log is also provided to help you keep track of all services
performed.
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[II02600(ALL)01/96]
About the Warranties
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[II02700(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is covered by three types of warranties:Basic
Vehicle Warranty,Extended Warrantieson certain parts, and
Emissions Warranties.
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[II02800(ALL)01/96]
Read yourWarranty Information Bookletcarefully to find out
about your vehicle's warranties and your basic rights and
responsibilities.
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[II02900(ALL)03/96]
If you lose yourWarranty Information Booklet,you can get a new
one free of charge. Contact any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer,
or refer to the addresses and phone numbers on the first page
of this Owner's Guide.
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Update:Tue Sep 10 12:34:48 1996

Driving
227
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When descending a steep grade with a trailer, operate in Drive
rather than Overdrive. If additional braking is needed, shift into
2 (Second) or 1 (First) gear.
[GF15000(ALL)05/96]
Servicing Your Vehicle If You Tow
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[GF15100(ALL)07/96]
If you tow a trailer for a long distance, your vehicle will need
to be serviced more frequently than usual. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet for additional information.
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[GF15200(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Towing Tips
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[GF15300(ALL)01/96]
Before starting on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing
in an area away from heavy traffic. Get to know the ªfeelº of
the vehicle/trailer combination.
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[GF15400(ALL)01/96]
Practice backing up. Back up very slowly, with someone outside
at the rear of your trailer to guide you. Place your hand at the
bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you
want the rear of the trailer to swing. Slight movement of the
steering wheel results in a much larger movement of the rear of
the trailer.
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[GF15500(ALL)01/96]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal turning point
so the trailer wheels will clear curbs or other obstructions.
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[GF15600(ALL)01/96]
Allow more room for stopping with a trailer attached. Trailer
brakes should be applied first, whether manually or
automatically controlled, when approaching a stop.
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[GF15700(ALL)01/96]
For an easy-to-operate vehicle/trailer combination, the trailer
tongue load should be approximately 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight.
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[GF15800(ALL)01/96]
Make a thorough check of your equipment before starting out
on the road. After you have traveled about 50 miles (80 km),
stop in a protected area and double-check your hitch and
electrical connections. Also check trailer wheel lug nuts for
tightness.
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Update:Mon Oct 7 11:46:08 1996

269
Maintenance and Care
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How Ford Makes Servicing Your Vehicle
Easy
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Ford has two goals for servicing your vehicle.
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[MC00400(ALL)01/96]1.
When we can, we design parts that do not need to be
serviced.
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[MC00500(ALL)01/96]2.
We want to make servicing your vehicle as easy as possible.
To help you:
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[MC00600(ALL)01/96]
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We highlight do-it-yourself items in yellow in your engine
compartment so that you can find them easily.
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[MC00700(ALL)03/96]
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When possible, we design parts that can be replaced without
tools.
[MC00800(ALL)07/96]
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We give you aMaintenance Schedulebooklet that makes
tracking routine service for your vehicle easy.
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[MC00900(ALL)01/96]
This chapter tells you about the basic parts that you need to
check and service regularly.
[MC01000(ALL)01/96]
If you need professional servicing, see the chapter onCustomer
Assistancein this Owner Guide.
[MC01100(ALL)01/96]
Check yourWarranty InformationBooklet to find out which parts
are covered.
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[MC01200(ALL)01/96]
Precautions When Servicing Your Vehicle
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[MC01300(ALL)01/96]
Be especially careful when inspecting or servicing your vehicle.
Here are some general precautions for your safety:
[MC01400(ALL)04/96]
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If you must work with the engine running, avoid wearing
loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving
parts.
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[MC01500(ALL)01/96]
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Do not work on a vehicle in an enclosed space with the
engine running, unless you are sure you have enough
ventilation.
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Maintenance and Care
277
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Engine oils with anSAE 5W-30viscosity arePREFERREDfor
your vehicle. They provide the best engine performance, fuel
economy and engine protection for all climates down to-15ÊF
(-26ÊC).
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[MC05000(ALL)03/96]
Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of the preferred
viscosity may be used in your engine. The engine oil and oil
filter must still be changed according to the maintenance
schedule.
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[MC05100(ALL)01/96]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[MC05200(ALL)01/96]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is important for safe
engine operation, check the oil using the dipstick each time you
put fuel in your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off, the
oil must be warm and the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.
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[MC05300(ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine oil level:
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[MC05400(ALL)01/96]1.
Turn the engine off after it has warmed up and allow a few
minutes for the engine oil to drain back into the oil pan.
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[MC05500(ALL)01/96]2.
Set the parking brake, making sure the gearshift is securely
latched in P (Park).
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[MC05600(ALL)01/96]3.
Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
[MC05700(ALL)01/96]4.
Locate the dipstick labelled ªEngine Oilº and carefully pull it
out of the engine.
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[MC05800(ALL)01/96]5.
Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into position, making
sure it is fully seated.
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7-1/2 pica art:0050073-D
Engine oil dipstick
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[MC06000(ALL)01/96]6.
Carefully, pull the dipstick out again. If the oil level is below
the ªADD 1 QT.º line, add engine oil as necessary. If the oil
level is beyond the letter ªFº in FULL, engine damage or
high oil consumption may occur and some oil must be
removed from the engine.
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[MC06100(ALL)01/96]7.
Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is fully seated.
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[MC06200(ALL)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil changes. Make
sure you use a CERTIFIED engine oil of the preferred viscosity.
Your vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if engine
damage is caused by the use of improper engine oil.
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[MC06300(ALL)09/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap highlighted in yellow.
To add oil, remove the filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil
into the opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine. Recheck
the oil level after you finish adding oil.
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Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
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Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for additional
information.
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[MC06600(ALL)05/96
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NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
standards for disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out about recycling
automotive fluids.
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306
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Comparisons With Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Fuel Economy Estimates
[MC28500(ALL)01/96]
EPA fuel economy figures are obtained from laboratory tests
under simulated road conditions and therefore are estimates
which may not reflect the actual conditions you experience. The
tests also do not exactly duplicate your personal style of
driving, including all your stops, starts, and lane changes. Other
factors that may affect fuel economy include using the air
conditioning, driving speed, vehicle load and tire inflation
pressure. The EPA fuel economy estimate is not a guarantee
that you will achieve the fuel economy shown.
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[MC28600(ALL)01/96]
Improving Fuel Economy
[MC28700(ALL)01/96]
You can improve the fuel economy for your vehicle in three
ways:
[MC28800(ALL)07/96]1.
Maintain your vehicle effectively. A well-tuned, properly
maintained vehicle gives you better fuel economy. Follow the
schedules for maintaining your vehicle that are in the
Maintenance Schedulebooklet.
[MC28900(ALL)04/96]2.
Drive your vehicle efficiently. Change your driving habits to
conserve fuel:
[MC29000(ALL)04/96]
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Do not drive with your foot on the brake.
[MC29100(ALL)04/96]
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Watch traffic so that you do not have to stop suddenly.
[MC29200(ALL)01/96]
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Do not accelerate suddenly. Drive at a steady speed
whenever you can.
[MC29300(ALL)04/96]
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Do not let the engine idle for a long time.
[MC29400(ALL)01/96]
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Do not carry loads that are too heavy. To find out the limits
for the loads that your vehicle can carry, seeDriving with a
heavy loadin the Index.
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Maintenance and Care
307
[MC29500(ALL)01/96]
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Keep the tires properly inflated. To find out the
recommended tire pressure, seeChecking the pressure of the
tireslater in this chapter.
[MC29600(ALL)01/96]
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Use your air conditioning system wisely. To find out about
fuel economy and air conditioning, seeClimate control systems
in the Index.
[MC29700(ALL)01/96]
In addition to your individual driving habits, optional
equipment, such as air conditioning, can have a significant effect
on fuel economy. Various aftermarket add-on items that increase
aerodynamic drag can also reduce fuel economy.
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[MC29800(ALL)01/96]
Emission Control System
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[MC29900(ALL)01/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter which
enables your vehicle to comply with applicable exhaust emission
requirements.
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[MC30000(ALL)01/96]
To make sure that the catalytic converter and the other emission
control parts continue to work properly:
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[MC30100(ALL)01/96]
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Use only unleaded fuel.
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[MC30200(ALL)01/96]
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Avoid running out of fuel.
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[MC30300(ALL)01/96]
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Never turn off the ignition while your vehicle is moving,
especially at high speeds.
[MC30400(ALL)07/96]
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Have the services listed in yourMaintenance Schedulebooklet
performed according to the specified schedule. The scheduled
maintenance services are required because they are
considered essential to the life and performance of your
vehicle and to its emission system.
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372
Lights, warning and indicator (continued)
low fuel....................... 20
low washer fluid................... 19
oil pressure...................... 16
safety belt...................... 12
theft system..................... 27
traction control system................ 25
turn signal indicator................ 17,93
Load limits
GAWR....................... 233
GVWR....................... 233
trailer towing..................224, 234
Lubricant specifications................ 325
Luggage rack..................... 229
Lug nuts
anti-theft...................... 254
tightening sequence................. 260
Lumbar support pad.................. 137
M
Maintenance schedule and record (see separate Maintenance
Schedule and Record booklet)........... 3
Maintenance (see servicing)............... 269
Mileage, calculating fuel economy............ 305
Mirrors........................ 117
automatic dimming rearview mirror......... 107
dual electric remote control............. 118
side view mirrors (manual)............. 117
vanity mirror, illuminated.............. 108
Motorcraft parts.................... 323
File:wnixs.ex
Update:Fri Oct 11 10:49:35 1996